Dear GCG: How do you hit the right notes with music on the golf course?
Golf's version of fighting over the remote
Dear Golf Coach Guy:
I know you like music. I like music. I’m just not sure that I like it on the golf course. Sometimes, I’m Ok with it if someone’s tastes are fairly similar to mine, but usually I’m just Ok with it.
I bring it up because a few weeks back I walked on to the 18th tee just as some young guys drove their carts to an adjacent green and shared the Rolling Stones with us. I like the Stones, but this occurred to me: they either didn’t realize they were sharing the Stones, or they didn’t care. Or both.
I did my best to let it go, but I was distracted and a little pissed. I blew my drive into the trees. Yes, boohoo. Bad shots happen with or without musical accompaniment.
I want to get your take on music on the golf course, and on conducting oneself with those who may be oblivious to how their music might resonate with other folks.
Teed-off Ted
Dear TOT:
I hear you! Pun intended. GCG does like music, but he’s never thought once about bringing a speaker on the course. However, quite obviously, it’s a thing.
GCG is generally OK with music if someone keeps the volume low, and they’re not into gangsta rap or death metal.
Music gives GCG something to talk about beyond the Leafs and Jays. Hearing Motley Crue at 8:15 a.m. on a dew-dappled fairway is also kind of surreal.
How low to keep the volume? CGC cites the Ben Kern canon. The late club professional legend said, “Only speak loud enough so your foursome can hear you.” That’s a good guideline for music. Yes, very country clubbish. But Ben exuded awareness—being aware of your impact on other people. That’s a thing that never goes out of style.
GCG thinks about music on the golf course this way: If you like the flag out, ask for the flag out. If you don’t like people standing on your line, ask them to move. You have the right to make it known what you like—and don’t.
It doesn’t mean becoming a dictator. You can negotiate a compromise like GCG’s Swing Thoughts podcast partner Humble Howard. When he plays with a new group, he informs them he’d prefer not to hear music when he’s hitting. If they want to listen when they are hitting, have at it.
On the podcast, he compared what’s happening on golf courses to driving in traffic. “When someone drives up beside your car with the windows down and music blaring, now their music is your music,” he said.
GCG and Humble played in a two-man team senior tournament last year. As we motored toward our tee for the shotgun, GCG heard music coming from the cart of our partners. To their credit, they asked, “Do you mind if we play music?”
“Yes, we actually do,” GCG blurted, sparing Humble from being the bad guy.
“Oh, ok,” came the rather surprised reply.
Indeed, the day got off to an awkward start, but soon enough we were chatting about this and that. And … they played their music when they were away from us. GCG doesn’t know if they came away thinking we were jerks, but we had zero control over what they thought of us regardless.
GCG has one last music story. He was playing in the Geezers Club C at his club last year when four lads with a mean age of 22 came roaring up to the adjacent tee with tall boys going, hats backwards, and rocking music. GCG wasn’t annoyed. In fact, he was a little jealous. He wasn’t having this much fun at their age on the golf course.
But they were distracting, and our group of greybeards were competing for the high honour of being low old guy.
GCG yelled, “Hey!” The lads went dead silent, and one of them quickly fumbled around and hit mute on his phone.
When we finished teeing off, they all said sorry. GCG said: “I was just messing with you. Keep having fun.” We exchanged thumbs up and waved goodbye.
Standing up for yourself doesn’t need to be a prelude to WWIII, and it can be interesting and sometimes fun. After all, shouldn’t a round of golf be harmonious for everyone?
I remain yours, moving in the grooving, Golf Coach Guy